Old-Fashioned Fourth of July

Sure, there are plenty of July 4 celebrations all over the county, but in Poway the party will be all about being old-timey.

In its “turn of the 20th century” event, folks will be able to ride a steam train, watch train robbery re-enactments, see iron-working demonstrations, create patriotic crafts and get pictures taken with Uncle Sam.

There will also be live music, face painting and plenty of hot dogs and ice cream to munch on. The party will be followed by fireworks at Poway High School later that evening.

-- NINA GARIN

Things that go boom: Where to find them

Big booms and family fun await with the 2010 Fourth of July celebrations throughout San Diego. Whether it’s a cruise or family barbecues at local parks or at packed beaches, there is a fireworks display and Independence Day celebration near all San Diegans.

JULY 4 CELEBRATIONS

All fireworks shows and activities listed below take place on Sunday unless otherwise noted.

CENTRAL SAN DIEGO

Annual Big Bay Boom July 4 Fireworks Show, downtown: (619) 686-6200 or thebigbay.com for parking/shuttle information and map. 9 p.m. fireworks, set to music from 105.7 “The Walrus” FM radio, will be discharged from barges placed near Shelter Island, Harbor Island, the Embarcadero area, Seaport Village, and at the Imperial Beach Pier.

Maritime Museum of San Diego, 1492 N. Harbor Drive, downtown: sdmaritime.org or (619) 234-9153. Fireworks, picnic dinner and live music aboard the Berkeley ferry; adults $40; children ages 5-10, $20; children age 4 and under free. Check-in: 5 p.m.

Coronado Fourth of July Celebration, Spreckels Park; Glorietta Bay: ecoronado.com or (619) 328-2461. Daylong festivities include a 15K run, 5K run/walk and rough-water swim. Live music TBA. July 3 parade at 10 a.m.; fireworks on July 4 at 9 p.m.

Lake Murray Community Park, 7001 Murray Park Drive, San Diego., navajoevents.com. Music and fireworks as the community celebrates the 14th year of this event. Music from noon to 9 p.m., with fireworks at 9:15 p.m.

Old Poway Park’s “Old Fashioned 4th of July,” 14134 Midland Road, Poway: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Live music and family-friendly activities available with fireworks celebration taking place at Poway High School.

Fireworks have been a part of Independence Day since the first celebration in 1777. As long as there have been fireworks, people have packed picnic baskets on their way to stake out a patch of grass where the pyrotechnic displays can be enjoyed. These San Diego spots will help you fill your basket.

Getting that picnic together

Phil Pace first mixed together his signature sauce when he was 15 years old, and has been in the BBQ business ever since. From the ribs to the tri-tip sandwich, San Diego meat connoisseurs salivate at the thought of one of Phil’s tangy yet sweet creations.

If your family is unanimously cuckoo for poultry, this new player on the scene is perfect. Annie Belle’s dishes out chicken in a variety of styles and portion sizes. You can order as many as 50 wings and there are to-go family and party packs.

The Dumpling Inn specializes in the most picnic-friendly of Chinese foods. Try the steamed minced pork or crispy beef curry dumplings.

Tita’s Kitchenette

2720 E. Plaza Blvd., National City, (619) 472-5801

Tita’s is a no-nonsense, lunch-line-style Filipino restaurant that translates well to the picnic environment. The BBQ chicken and pork skewers alone are worth a trip. The service is fast, prices cheap and portions big enough to fill up the most famished of families.

As far as we can tell, this is the only 100 percent vegetarian drive-through fast-food restaurant in San Diego. It offers a juice and smoothie bar, as well as typical fast-food fare in vegetarian form.

OB People’s Organic Foods Market

4765 Voltaire St., Ocean Beach; (619) 224-1387

You don’t have to be a member to shop at this oasis of organic products, but it will save you some money. Besides the bottom-floor grocery, the upstairs deli sells sandwiches and a variety of pre-made salads.

The Greenery Raw Food Café

133 Daphne St., Encinitas, (760) 479-0996

The Greenery is purist, nothing but organic, raw, vegan fare. There are veggie-walnut burgers, pizzas on a butternut squash crust and spaghetti with (vegetarian) meatballs.

If you want to celebrate our Independence Day but eat like it’s Bastille Day, head to this warehouse specializing in French and other European gourmet items open to the public just two days a week (Friday 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.).